Valentine's Day

A Valentine Treat just for you! My very favorite poem by my very favorite poet.

i carry your heart with me

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree of life; which grows
higher then the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

-ee cummings
if only there was a video of that sweet little boy reciting this one!

i hope you have a lovely day filled with love!

Friday Favorites

I've decided to do something a bit different on Fridays...there's only so many different things I can sense at OAM! (Olive Avenue Market) So, from now on, I'll be sharing a few of my favorite things.

This post is brought to you by the elderly gentleman who made my day.  Earlier this afternoon, as I was studying on OAM's front patio, an elderly gentleman was on his afternoon walk.  On his afternoon walk, he had hand-picked flowers and he hand-picked ME to receive them! Swooning ensued!

And so this week's Friday Favorites are Favorite Romantic Gestures.  (Just in time for Valentine's Day!)

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1) Hand-picked Flowers

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2) Post-it Love Notes

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3) Forehead Kisses

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

CM

Living the Dream

 I had run into a friend who was lamenting about getting over bronchitis, lots of work to do, and his wife being gone.  When another friend had greeted us, with a "Hey, how's it going?", He replied, "Oh, just living the dream! How are you?" Later, on my drive home, I was thinking about how my friend really isn't living his dream.  

Yes, there are going to be days when life is not a dream, but I think it can be a majority of the time.  I'm not anything near a sage, but I believe this life is ours for the taking.  

For the first time, I am excited about growing up.  Don't get me wrong - I am completely enjoying my life in school.  But I'm excited about all the possibilities.  I could go ANYWHERE!  It's completely exhilarating to realize that in a little over a year, I am on my way to doing whatever I want.  

So I'm dreaming.  I'm dreaming lots and lots so that one day I will Live the Dream!

from the inspiring Sarah Von Bargen

My "cute" of the day

Just in time for Valentine's Day!

I adore this little flick!


reblogged from the lovely Anna

Gratitude

I don't think one could ever have enough gratitude.

Today I am especially thankful for:

-a good friend who helped me out in a pinch
-our program department's secretary who was oh so helpful in trying to help solve my problem
-a flexible job
-sunny skies
-fresh veggies for lunch
-fun clinic!
-generosity of George

-I don't have to do homework tonight...(although I should)

-about to get my om on!

What are you thankful for today?

Challenge!

Before yesterday, it was an awfully long time since I've cooked or baked ANYTHING...And last week, I realized that needed to change.  So I'm challenging myself to have fun cooking or baking at least once a week.  

I added the "have fun" part, because recently when it's been my turn to make dinner, I tend to make staples and although it gets the job done, it's not really enjoyable for anyone...

So far, I'm off to a great start.  Yesterday, I made taco soup for my superbowl shindig.

And tonight,I grilled chicken with a soy ginger marinade & I sauteed green beans with shallots, ginger, & garlic...And just now I realized I should have taken pictures of the pretty green beans! (I blanched them before)

cuter chef than i!
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Happy Weekend!

This was a fantastic "midterms" week!  While all the other students were cramming for midterms, I had a much lighter load with clinic cancelled, one work obligation cancelled, and 1 class canceled!  And no tests! (We don't have tests in our programs...mainly heavier term papers, which is JUST fine by me!)  Even though it was a lighter week,  I am still quite excited to have a "light" weekend ahead and warmer weather! (I know, I know, I really shouldn't complain about the chillier 30 degree mornings, but having it back in the 70's will be nice!)

And now, for my practice in being present.

I Am

Feeling: Hot! (I'm a bit overdressed from the chilly morning)

Tasting: Tropical Iced Tea...so refreshing!

Seeing: A very cute dachsund waiting for her owner to come out of the market

Hearing: Birds chirping, an airplane flying overhead, & cars driving by

Smelling: Lavender.  I'm sitting next to the small herb stand outside of the market, so relaxing...a bit too relaxing for the homework sitting to the side of me waiting to be done.

Have a fun & relaxing weekend!

CM

P.S. Go Packers!

Joy

I love that feeling of joy deep in my heart.  The feeling that it will burst, but instead it overflows up to my mouth, turning the corners up, and continues to my eyes, shining out.  I don't know of anything that feels more satisfying.

Heartmath recently did a study on segments of DNA & joy.  A person's DNA stretches when they think of things that make them happy.  When the DNA is stretched, it strengthens the immune system.  The study continued by taking the DNA out of the body to see if it would still stretch while the person was thinking pleasing thoughts.  The DNA stretched. The study went on to experiment with varying distances from the body, and still, the DNA stretched.  I find this incredibly fascinating, but the point I wanted to make was - not only does Joy feel good, but it does wonder's for the immune system too.  It's also a strong, positive force that has yet to be fully understood.

The Buddhists seemed to understand it's benefits better than anyone else.  Some practice a loving, kindness meditation with a smile on their face to cultivate joy from the outside, in.

This week I've cultivated joy by an impromptu picnic, having & enjoying my afternoon tea, meeting with friends for lunch, an invigorating run, playing with my dog, and enjoying my sunny afternoon drives.

How have you cultivated joy this past week?  If you haven't, challenge yourself to enjoy your weekend! It's good for you!

Lots of people=Me

This past week I was challenged to take 15 minutes to write down as many people as I could think of that have personally made me who I am today.  I broke it up into 3 specific areas.

So without further ado, Here is the list: (In no particular order)

People Who Have Taught Me:

-Wil Alexander, Jennifer St. Clair, Paige Shaughnessy, Jean Lowry, Roseanne Stacey, Dr. Ward, Karen McCulloch, Jim McCulloch, Karen Mainess, Susan Whitley, Brad Martin, Jackie Bishop, Rob Mohr, Tim Gillespie, Doug Mace, Randy Roberts, Bernard Taylor, Tyler McCulloch, Grayson Brody-Goodrich, Angelo Alvarico, Jose Medrano, Victoria Ico, Savannah Weaver, Darren Wilkins, Tiffany Dos Santos, Eliki Ravia...

People Who Have Challenged Me:

Wil Alexander, Karen McCulloch, Tim Gillespie, Michelle Adams, Paige Shaughnessy, Pam Dietrich, Craig Hadley, Dr. Ward, Nicole Palacio-Bhojwani, Carli Ashlock, Katelyn Cortes, Eric Jett, Bethany Rubino, Enrique Rodriguez, Katie Nichols, Sergio Romero, Eliki Ravia, Samuel Henderson, Beth Konrath, Mark Pacini, Laura Romero, Jim McCulloch, Jose Medrano, Angelo Alvarico, Tyler McCulloch...

People Who Have Loved Me:

-Karen McCulloch, Jim McCulloch, Tyler McCulloch, Mary-Louise Savage, Lin Flores, Danny Flores, Mackinsie Flores, Hayden Flores, Becca Headley, Jim Headley, Tommy Headley, Tim Headley, Darla Johnson, Carli Ashlock, Michelle Adams, Nicole Palacio-Bhojwani, Jenn Han, Jason Han, Wesley Arnold, Parker Arnold, Bill Arnold, Pam Arnold, Eric Jett, Tiffany Dos Santos, Savannah Weaver, Grant Benson, Wendy Lane, Gina Vogel, Kaytie Knight, Ruthie Reyes, Roseanne Stacey, Dawn Ferrarini, Pete Ferrarini, Sandra Alvarado, Leslie Scofield, Ashley Reynolds, Monika Bliss, Merrilee Scofield, Ken Scofield, Ridley Sendow...

If your name is on this list, I thank you!  If your name should be on this list, I thank you!

On the flip side.

If we believe that we, ourselves, can have second chances every second of the day - then we need to extend that kindness to others.

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